Daniel Mugula
29 September 2026
KAMPALA — The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched the integration of Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs), a move aimed at strengthening taxpayer identification, improving service delivery and supporting Uganda’s revenue mobilisation efforts.
The initiative was launched during the first-ever My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026, held at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
NIRA Registrar Olama Claire said the event was created as an annual platform for dialogue, public engagement and improved access to identity-related services.
She said NIRA has so far registered 36.2 million Ugandans with NINs, but noted that more people still need to be enrolled on the national register.
The expo brought together NIRA and several institutions offering services linked to national identification, including the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), NSSF, MTN, Equity Bank and DFCU Bank.
According to Olama, members of the public can use the expo to obtain birth and death certificates, register marriages, apply for alien cards and access other identity-related services. She said NIRA was also working to provide faster, end-to-end services, with applicants at the expo expected to receive feedback within three days where possible.
URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi welcomed the government-backed transition from TINs to NINs, saying the move would help address challenges associated with taxpayer identification.
Musinguzi said the existing TIN system had allowed some individuals to hold multiple TINs, making it difficult for URA to establish a single, accurate identity for a taxpayer.
He also said cases in which individuals’ TIN information or accounts were allegedly accessed without their knowledge had created challenges for taxpayers and the revenue authority.
He said linking taxation to NIRA’s biometric-based national identification system would enable government to more accurately identify taxpayers.
“This transition is now one of the highlights of the improvement in our revenue mobilisation strategy,” Musinguzi said.
He added that Uganda is targeting an increase in its tax-to-GDP ratio from about 14 percent to at least 20 percent within the next three years, with improved taxpayer identification expected to contribute to that objective.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Prof. Kamuntu, warned officials against corruption and urged NIRA to address weaknesses within the institution.
He called on officials to “put your house in order,” stressing that government would continue to investigate and prosecute corruption in public institutions.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of national identification to Uganda’s security, governance and economic development.
He said accurate identity information supports access to services such as banking, education, healthcare, driving licences and passports, while also helping government with planning, resource allocation, law enforcement and border management.
The Minister also linked the importance of identity to Uganda’s historical development, particularly the colonial-era drawing of boundaries that separated communities across modern national borders.
He noted that communities with shared cultural and historical ties can be found across Uganda’s borders with Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said understanding Uganda’s history is important in appreciating the wider significance of identity, not only for individuals but also for communities, national security and governance.
The Minister urged Ugandans to ensure that births, marriages and deaths are registered promptly.
“There is nobody who should not be identified. Nobody,” he said, calling for continuous registration to ensure that national records remain accurate and up to date.
He also said government expects NIRA to expand its operations and make greater use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, forensic services and CCTV systems.
The My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 was officially declared open at the conclusion of the event, with organisers describing it as a platform for bringing government agencies, private-sector institutions and the public together to address challenges surrounding identification and access to services.
